Ian Machado Garry turned to his grappling to avoid the dynamic striking attack of Michael “Venom” Page and keep his undefeated record intact to kick off the UFC 303 main card.
Despite promises that he was faster and better on the feet than the always flashy Page, Garry immediately hunted for multiple takedowns and nearly locked up a submission in the opening round. While he had to stave off some nasty strikes from Page on the feet, Garry continued to get the fight into his world on the ground to help secure the victory.
When it was over, all three judges scored the fight 29-28 for Garry.
“Nothing surprised me,” Garry said of his performance. “I knew how good he was, how talented he was. For me, it was patience. Patience was the key today. Today was patience. He did a great, great game plan today. Tonight was an awesome fight.
“I’m coming for that world title. I don’t care who’s next. I’m going to be a world champion. I’m coming for that belt.”
In a surprise twist compared to the pre-fight banter, Garry countered an early head kick with a takedown as he planted Page on the canvas and began applying his grappling game. Garry wasted no time advancing his position to lock on a body triangle against the cage.
A split second later, Garry had a rear-naked choke locked on as Page’s face twisted into a grimace, but somehow the Bellator veteran eventually broke free from the submission. Despite surviving the bad spot, Page was still stuck in an unenviable position, with Garry hanging on his back until the opening round came to a close.
At the start of the second round, Page went head-hunting and buzzed Garry with several stinging right hands that got the Irishman’s attention. Garry turned back to his grappling again, but he wasn’t able to drag the action down to the ground as quickly.
When Page got separation on the feet, he blasted Garry with some nasty punches as his confidence started to grow. By the time the fight moved into the final round, Garry clearly knew his best chance to win came on the ground, so that’s where he looked to take the fight again.
While he couldn’t get the fight down conventionally, Garry did manage to scramble into a back-take as time ticked away toward the final horn. Garry stayed tight on the back, maintaining his position, and Page was unable to break free until the fight came to a close.
While it wasn’t the highlight-reel victory he promised, Garry got the job done with a unanimous decision win. Now he’ll look for another top contender in the welterweight division.
As for Page, he suffered a loss, but he continued to show he can hang with the best fighters in the world in just his second UFC fight.
